Which system of land registration was developed in South Australia in the 1850s?

The Torrens system of land registration was developed in South Australia in the 1850s.

It is named after Sir Robert Torrens, who promoted the system while serving as South Australia's premier and registrar general. Instead of relying mainly on a chain of private deeds, the system records title in an official register maintained by the state.

A central idea is that the register provides authoritative evidence of ownership and interests in land. This can simplify conveyancing, reduce uncertainty about historical documents, and make transfers more efficient. The exact rules and protections vary among jurisdictions that adopted Torrens-style registration.

Torrens title is sometimes confused with a general cadastral map. A cadastre records land parcels and related information, while Torrens registration specifically concerns the legal title system. Australia and several other countries and regions use forms of Torrens-style title.